Meadville native skates as Barbie in Disney on Ice

SEE IT

Disney on Ice's "Worlds of Fantasy" continues today and Friday at 7 p.m.; Saturday at 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday and Monday at 2 p.m. at Erie Insurance Arena. Tickets are $21, $36 and $46. They're available at the Warner Theatre box office, by phone at 452-4857 and online at www.erieevents.com. For more on Disney on Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com.

Disney on Ice sure hit a crowd-pleasing trifecta with "Worlds of Fantasy," an ultra-lavish production that continues through Monday at Erie Insurance Arena.

Girl appeal? Check! The show includes characters from "The Little Mermaid" and "Tinker Bell," plus Barbie, who is part of the "Toy Story 3" entourage.

Local appeal? Check! Alevia Peterson, who skates as Barbie, grew up in Meadville and will have no shortage of relatives and friends at the arena.

"We definitely have something for boys and girls," Peterson said. "The life-size cars -- Lightning McQueen and Mater -- are very well received. Of course, the boys love Woody and Buzz from 'Toy Story 3' as well, and the girls love 'Little Mermaid' and Tinker Bell and Barbie."

Peterson fulfills a couple of dreams with "Worlds of Fantasy." Though she's skated with Disney on Ice since 2004, this is her first show as a principal skater, and better yet, she gets that opportunity by playing Barbie.

"Growing up, what little girl didn't play with Barbies? So, that's a dream come true, in that way," said Peterson, who skates twice with Ken (Andrew Britten). "Also, it's a principal role, so that's very exciting, what we work for all these years.

"Barbie is kind of over the top and there's a lot of humor involved, which I love, so it's a well-rounded role," she added. "Andrew, he's from Ontario, and we're having a blast. He's absolutely hysterical, like the perfect Ken."

The faces of Barbie and Ken sport an eerie, if appropriate doll-like plasticity.

Peterson started skating at age 4; she spent countless hours at the Meadville Area Recreational Complex.

"I competed while growing up, but I was more interested in the show aspect and entertaining and having fun than the competition," she said. "I like to have fun. My mom said I told her I wanted to skate with Disney on Ice, so I guess that was a goal since I was a child. I don't remember back that far."

She was accepted by Disney on Ice during her senior year of high school, then joined after graduation. She loves performing in front of crowds of ecstatic children. "Nothing matches the children's excitement; it's one of my favorite things."

Another is traveling.

"We were the first (Disney on Ice) show to perform in South Africa, which is definitely one of the high points of my career," Peterson said. "Bangkok was awesome, too. I loved Italy. I take pictures of anything and everything I see; it's like a diary to remember."

Erie will occupy an important diary entry because it's so close to home. Though she's skated with Disney for nine years, this is the first time she's skated in Erie. She estimated "close to 100" family members and friends will see her, including her parents.

"My mom came to see me in Huntsville, Ala., but this will be the first time my dad gets to see me as Barbie. I'm excited," Peterson said. "It's going to be pretty crazy."